The visiting naval ship from India, the INS GHARIAL went all out to the local community yesterday, donating blood and entertaining special group of children from The Society for the Management of Autism-Related Issues – Training, Education and Resources of Brunei or SMARTER Brunei as part of their community service activities.
Yesterday morning fifty ship personnel from the INS GHARIAL including the Commanding Officer of the Indian INS GHARIAL naval ship, Commander Vishal Bishnoi were eager to participate in donating blood campaign which was held at the Blood Donation Centre, in Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. Also present at the blood drive was His Excellency Lalduhthlana Ralte, High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam.
The blood drive was one of the non-exercise activities of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM PLUS HADR & MM Ex) which is currently ongoing and with the intention to help in replenishing the blood supply that is needed by patients of RIPAS Hospital.
In the afternoon, the India INS GHARIAL, arranged another social event, inviting about 30-membered group of special need children from the SMARTER onboard their ship them to spend time and have fun with SMARTER Kids. SMARTER Kids together with their families and forty teacher-therapists participated in this activity. It was also an opportunity for the individuals with autism to interact with the Indian Navy.
[mappress] Press Release, June 20, 2013; Image: Brunei MoD